Deputy President William Ruto should be his own man.
And if he needs speaking for, the best-placed person to do that is his running mate President Uhuru Kenyatta. But, when a few individuals purporting to represent a region speak for the masses, a lot is left unsaid that when it comes to light, all hope in a Ruto presidency dies- at least in the Mt Kenya region.
DP Ruto is one charismatic man and when it comes to whipping up emotions, he must have learned it well when he was under the tutelage of both Babas-Daniel Moi and Raila Odinga.
It is an open secret that if anything, Ruto would have helped any aspirant become president if tables were turned and without the 2007 post-election violence.
However, his stardom today may only last as long as the Jubilee Coalition holds. With political frenemies running amok daily, it would be no surprise if he chooses to go it alone not in 2022 but sooner. If he does this, it would be a political game changer for all seeking the ticket in 2017.
It has often been said that Ruto will succeed Kenyatta when he leaves office in 2022-if elected for a second term that is. But, the political stakes may be higher than meets the eye. A week ago, Uhuru’s strategic advisor quit for the NGO world but there were muted musings that she could have left because the politics in Jubilee was getting murkier.
From the house on the hill to the lowliest house in Central Kenya, Ruto is perceived to be a man who will stop at nothing to get his way. True or not, the DP needs to be his own man.
In 2007, he was accused of being a key player for the ODM fraternity that was hell bent on causing chaos in the country while in 2013, he being the saviour that would deliver the much-needed win against the opposition.
Superficially, Ruto has addressed the 2007 chaos issue but many households will tell you that the reason they voted for Uhuru in 2013 was because they feared Raila being the one occupying state house.
From all the sidewalk debates to muted conversations in the Rift Valley over who is to blame for the 2007 chaos, it is time Ruto came out as his own man and spoke to dispel fears that he is out to revenge.
Political pundits have time and again said that his joining Jubilee was to ensure that Raila never got to be president, and he delivered, but there are other issues that could have made him Uhuru’s running mate.
He has been hailed as an enterprising Kenyan from hawking chicken to becoming one of the strongest men in Kenya. This should be seen to be true of him when he is seeking justice for the post-election violence victims. This is a thorn in the flesh not only for him but also for those who feel most affected.
The way he deserted Raila in 2013 could also be another reason he could kiss the presidential ticket goodbye. Many see his decamping as a betrayal to someone who gave him a home when he was not wanted elsewhere. This perceived lack of loyalty may also be interpreted wrongly by would-be voters from Central Kenya and which could cost him dearly either in 2017 or 2022.
For many households, the cases at the ICC were never quite resolved and those still seeking justice feel shortchanged.
It is thus a prudent thing that DP Ruto comes out clearly and states his stand. With 2017 and 2022 around the corner, the skeletons might get a life and start running after him as fair game.